(Adds John Lewis figures)
LONDON, Oct 31 (Reuters) - British consumer confidence fell in October and people are more reluctant to make major purchases than at any time since records began in 1982, a survey showed on Friday.
Research company GfK NOP said its consumer confidence index slipped to -36 in October from -32 in September as worries over the economy and the global financial crisis soured the public mood. Analysts had expected a more modest easing to -35.
The climate for major purchases index slumped to -43, the lowest reading since records for that measure began in 1982.
Retailers are clearly suffering. John Lewis Partnership said sales at its 27 department stores fell 9.8 percent on the year last week.
"Consumers are not at all confident about buying major purchases as rising food and energy bills leave them increasingly worried about keeping up with payments, and saving has also seen a considerable drop, possibly due to fears of the safety of savings," said Rachael Joy of GfK NOP.
The "now is a good time to save" index fell nine points on the month to +9, the lowest since the start of 2004, perhaps as worries over the banking system and low interest rates encouraged people to think of hoarding cash.
Roughly half the responses in the GfK survey came before the Bank of England made an emergency cut in interest rates on Oct. 8 and half afterwards.
Britons' expectations for their own finances and for the economy as a whole remained gloomy. The index gauging people's perceptions about the state of the economy in the last 12 months plunged to its lowest since 1992, when Britain was in recession.
"Even the reduction of the interest rate and lower petrol prices are unlikely to have a significant effect on confidence in the upcoming months as consumers brace themselves for what they see as a very difficult economic time over the Christmas period," said GfK NOP's Joy. (Editing by Mike Peacock)